JOB DETAILS:

About Program/Project

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda (EKN-KAM) plans to invest in interventions that enhance access to quality seed by smallholder farmers (SHFs) thereby contributing to increased agricultural productivity, improved food security, strengthened business growth, increased incomes, creation of employment opportunities, and sustainable market-based growth in the seed sector. The intended project’s scope, goal and objectives, and principles of approach are aligned with the policy and results frameworks of the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, the Multi-Annual Country Strategy of EKN-KAM, and relevant policies and programs of the Government of Uganda.

The project will develop and implement strategies and interventions that enhance access to quality seed by smallholder farmers and commercial medium and large-scale farmers, thereby contributing to increased agricultural productivity, improved food security, strengthened business growth, increased incomes, creation of employment opportunities and sustainable market-based growth in the seed sector.

Goal of the Project

The goal of the project is to enhance resilience and increase smallholder farmers' agricultural productivity and income through the availability and use of quality seed.

Main Objectives of the Project

The overarching objective is that quality seed of new, improved, and adapted varieties are available and accessible to and utilized by SHFs in Uganda.

1. Increased quality, availability, affordability and use of QDS and other farmer managed seeds by SHF.

2. Increased quality, affordability, availability and use of commercialized seeds.

3. Enhanced enabling environment leading to strengthened regulation, coordination, and investment in the seed sector through the development and strengthened capacity of institutions in the implementation of policy, regulation, and research and development in the seed sector that is vibrant, dynamic, pluralistic, and demand oriented.

Duration/ funding amount of the Project

• Five (5) Years with funding amount of 8 million Euros

Expected start date of Component 4 Lead: 15th of August 2025

Responsibilities

• Mapping the policy and nonpolicy constraints in seed sector governance during the seed sector assessment and road map
• Supervising multi-stakeholder dialogues, information sharing, coordination, and collaboration of relevant seed sector actors (public and private)
• Ensuring the digitalization of regulatory service provision and seed tracking and tracing
• Provision of a more enabling environment and business climate for the seed sector to foster increased levels of investment in R&D
• Provide support to the Team Leader to provide expert technical oversight and guidance in all aspects of the program, including program monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

Requirements

• A minimum of a master’s degree in a relevant field is required. Relevant fields include, but are not limited to Political science, Agricultural Business and Public Administration
• Minimum 8 years’ experience with development projects or programs management and be able to steer component three.
• Minimum 8 years’ experience managing a program of similar size and scope.
• Demonstrated multi-stakeholder process work in relation to seed sector stakeholders e.g. seed companies, agri-input dealers, councils, local seed businesses (LSBs), and farmers). Experience with public-private collaboration, partnership building and policy development is a plus.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Ugandan agricultural context; specific seed sector experience preferred
• Proven track record of achieving development results in a similar context and working relationship with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands or EU
• Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including national and local government, donors, farmers associations, universities, and the private sector
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, including the ability to build and manage cooperative high-level relationships and motivate team members
• Spoken and written fluency in English